One night, after I listened to the Siddha Yoga tape of Shri Rudram being recited so beautifully by Brahmin priests, I asked Gurumayi to please come to me in my dreams. And guess what? Gurumayi appeared in my dream!

In my dream, Gurumayi’s beautiful eyes are like diamonds. And in her presence, meeting her gentle gaze, I feel pure and light.

There is a boy with Gurumayi who is a great artist. He is drawing positions for meditating and for studying which cater to my current circumstances of living in a small cell. He focuses on my comfort and relaxation so that I can better receive the grace of the practices and my study. He doesn’t speak. He just draws on his canvas.

I ask Gurumayi, "Can you tell me what to do with my life?"

Gurumayi looks at me and then whispers in my ear, "Follow your heart's desire and soar like an eagle."

Then Gurumayi motions with her hands, one hand pointing to the sky, one hand pointing to the ground, indicating, "Up here, not down there."

Since I had this dream, as I continue to study the Siddha Yoga Home Study Course lessons, my understanding of Gurumayi’s teachings has come more into focus and my awareness of Gurumayi’s grace grows broader.

I’ve been thinking about the practical steps I can take to integrate this new understanding into my everyday life. One way is to continue to contemplate the dream because I know it must have many layers of meaning—particularly since I believe the power of Shri Rudram brought it about. And I am studying Gurumayi’s teachings—particularly her teachings about grace.

I am approaching the Siddha Yoga practices with greater reverence and love. I have come to understand that my life is going the way it is supposed to go and I can make it what I want. I have Gurumayi’s grace, which guides and protects me as I fly to my heart’s desire: the highest truth.

And one more thing I wish to say: I strive to become an instrument, by my words and actions, through which love can transform the lives of others because Gurumayi has filled me with her love and light.

About the Author

The writer of this has been studying and practicing the Siddha Yoga teachings since 2008, when he was introduced to them through the Prison Project.

About the Prison Project

The Prison Project is dedicated to facilitating the dissemination of the Siddha Yoga teachings and practices to incarcerated individuals. Baba Muktananda founded the Prison Project in 1979. Both Baba and Gurumayi have visited a number of prisons in the United States and Australia.

The Prison Project has touched the lives of thousands of inmates throughout the world. The Siddha Yoga Home Study Course is made available to any inmate who requests it, and more than seventy individuals offering seva with the SYDA Foundation conduct satsangs in prisons. The inmates who attend these satsangs regularly share their experiences through their letters to Gurumayi. They also share their reflections and experiences with the sevites in the Prison Project. After many of these inmates who study and practice the Siddha Yoga teachings have completed their prison terms, they continue implementing the teachings in their daily lives, and go on to become upstanding citizens in their communities.

“In my dream, Gurumayi's eyes are like diamonds," says this devoted Siddha Yogi. What a beautiful image—to see the light from the Guru's eyes as guidance. I am so grateful for this heartfelt Reflection that embraces the Guru as the means. I can feel this writer receiving the grace in every word. This individual in prison is not imprisoned.

I offer gratitude to this devotee for the reminder to both ask the Guru for guidance and to listen to and obey the command.

a Siddha Yogi from California, USA

What a beautiful and moving Reflection. Thank you to the writer for taking the time to contemplate your experience, put it into words, and then share it with us. We are united in that love that you speak of, no matter where we are in this world.

When I finished reading, something unexpected came up for me. The recognition of my mind’s tendency towards self-pity. I did not sense any of that in the share. So, thank you. This is something I want to become more aware of. Perhaps the opposite of self-pity is gratitude—a practice I want to become more and more dedicated to.

Thank you again to the courageous writer.

a Siddha Yogi from New York, USA

When the "The Fruit of Shri Rudram Recitation" appeared, I was enraptured by the photograph of the eagle in flight. Before reading this Reflection, I asked my inner Self what message can I receive from this magnificent bird.

For the next two days, whenever I consciously looked at the sky, I thought of that eagle. Some of the words that came to mind were dynamic, stillness, mastery, poise, freedom, vastness, alert, protection. As I allowed each word to give rise to feelings, I was drawn deeper into my heart.

Then I read the Reflection, which was such a strong affirmation of the importance of studentship. I was reminded that my state of freedom depends on my openness to learning from my surroundings, the sangham, family, work, and most importantly from the situations and people that I feel challenged to love.

I remembered that I also have two wings: self-effort and grace. And I have my Guru’s ever-present benevolence, like the wide blue sky, to soar into.

Many, many happy returns of the day, Gurumayi!

a Siddha Yogi from Sydney, Australia

Thank you to the writer of this beautiful Reflection. I can feel the movement into deeper, sweeter studentship in your words. I am inspired by the perfect response to your prayer, reminding me that Gurumayi is absolutely present for us in each moment. Your story reminds me of the power of a heartfelt prayer and the potent energy of ancient mantras, such as Shri Rudram. We are so fortunate to be able to listen to and repeat these mantras, knowing they are alive with the Guru's shakti.

I’m thinking about what an uplifting presence you must be, what blessings you must bring to the people around you! And what a privilege it is for all of us to be walking the path at this time with the constant guidance of a living Guru.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for the great light of your being and of your teachings.

a Siddha Yogi from Melbourne, Australia

This Reflection is a great example of the incredible power of Gurumayi's grace to pervade and touch the lives of anyone, anywhere, at any time, regardless of their life's circumstances. The writer's experiences and insights remind me that there truly are no bars or walls to the heart—no matter where we are—when we connect with the Guru's grace, do our practices, and follow Gurumayi's teachings.

This student's understanding that his life "is going the way it is supposed to go" and his efforts to share his love and uplift others in prison inspire me to make a greater effort to embrace my own life with gratitude and to share my light with those around me.

a Siddha Yogi from New York, USA

How wonderful to read how this Siddha Yogi in prison is so dedicated to his sadhana and his Guru!

The Guru has no boundaries. It was so moving to read how the writer's simple request to Gurumayi was met with such an abundance of teachings, love, and compassion. Truly, Gurumayi is always with us; we only need to extend the invitation.